Second time for Pattison

Wednesday saw the International 14 Adolpho Bastardo Long Distance Race take place on Lake Garda

Lake Garda yesterday, Wednesday, was at it's best with sun, 20 knots and more of breeze. The Adolfo Bastardo Trophy was presented by the Swiss for a long distance race on the eve of the Riva Cup. The previous winner must set the course the previous night in the Oca bar or be liable for a very large fine. The course set by 2006 winner Douglas Pattison was undoubtedly long - up to Malcesine back to Torbole up to Limone then finish off Riva.

Douglas Pattison and Archie Massey got the best of some big shifts on the first beat and rounded with a good lead. The next three boats Jamie Shelton (now on honeymoon after getting married in Malcesine yesterday), Charlie Duchesne and Andy Penman, and Bruce Edwards and John Vincze from Canada were very close together. Shelton capsized gybing towards the end of the run and Edwards had some gear problems. They and the rest of the fleet retired at Torbole leaving Duchesne the sole pursuer of Pattison. The wind was steadier now and the boats matched each other up the beat and onto the final run down the cliffs of Garda's infamous "wall of death". Both boats were unusually being crewed by regular helms. Duchesne's only hope was a capsize by Massey but both boats came through intact giving victory to Pattison and Massey. Pattison's second in a row.